69 Chevelle Wheels and Tires

[Redsplitwindow]

I will be lowering my 69 convertible Chevelle in the next month or so.
12 Bolt,4 wheel wilwood disc brakes.
I want to run 20s in the rear and 18s on the front and would like the center of the wheel lip to cover most of the sidewall.
Suggestions on Rim widths ,back spacing and tire size would be greatly appreciated.
some photos would also be cool.
I will not be rolling my fender lips.
Thanks
Dave

[JayR]

I would suggest 19s and 20s on a car that size because 20s are filling out the rear nicely and the 2" stagger just looks like a little too much to me on a car that big but it's your car so it's your call. Here's one we put that combination on with 255/35s and 295/35s and he could even stand to go lower.

[Redsplitwindow]

This car is lowered 2"??????
With 20s and 19s.....How wide and what was backspacing?
Dave

[csouth]

This car is lowered 2"??????
With 20s and 19s.....How wide and what was backspacing?
Dave

Trust Jason and do the 19/20 combo. My friend started with the 18/20 combo on his '68 Chevelle and ended up selling them for a 19/20 combo.

[JayR]

This car is lowered 2"??????
With 20s and 19s.....How wide and what was backspacing?
Dave

Yes, it's lowered and as you can see has room to come down a tad more. Those are 8s with 5.0" backspace and 10s with 5.75"

Trust Jason and do the 19/20 combo. My friend started with the 18/20 combo on his '68 Chevelle and ended up selling them for a 19/20 combo.

Thanks Chris!

[tmcmillan5]

Ok I'm a bit early on my post here, wheels just showed up today, but this may give you an idea on what you want to do. These wheels are the same on all 4 corners 18 x 9.5 w/ 15mm offset or say 5 3/4". Tires are 255/45 Nitto 555 G2. Now my car is not on the ground yet and I know I have to make some adjustments on my coil overs for ride heighth. Not to mention I don't even have lug nut for them yet but so far they seem to fit. I went with 9.5's so I would have a 3" wheel lip front & rear.







Tony

[Later-A-body]

I vote for the 19/19 or 19/20 combination.

[sheck44]

19/20 hands down
Steve

[RI213]

I have a 1971 Chevelle project with ride tech front/rear coilovers and would like to if I can fit some 18x8 4.25 backspace on the front and 19x10 with 6.125 bs on the rears? Tire size is 235/40R18 fronts and 285/30R19 rears. Would appreciate any help

[tmcmillan5]

RI213 I think you should go at least 4.5" up front and no more than 6" in the rear and you would be fine.

Tony

[JayR]

I have a 1971 Chevelle project with ride tech front/rear coilovers and would like to if I can fit some 18x8 4.25 backspace on the front and 19x10 with 6.125 bs on the rears? Tire size is 235/40R18 fronts and 285/30R19 rears. Would appreciate any help

Tmcmillan5 is right. Not enough backspace in front and a little too much in back. On a car that size, I'd suggest 18s front and rear with a 40 series or 19s front and rear with at least a 35 series or 19s and 20s. The 18 in front with a 19 in back will look a little small and your particular tire set up will yield a taller front sidewall in front than in back. If you get the backspaces right, you can run 255s and 295s and the aspect ratio just depends on what diameter you run but I wouldn't go under 35.

Here's a good example of a client's car who did 19s and 20s with 255/35s and 295/35s

[1badchicken]

Tmcmillan5 is right. Not enough backspace in front and a little too much in back. On a car that size, I'd suggest 18s front and rear with a 40 series or 19s front and rear with at least a 35 series or 19s and 20s. The 18 in front with a 19 in back will look a little small and your particular tire set up will yield a taller front sidewall in front than in back. If you get the backspaces right, you can run 255s and 295s and the aspect ratio just depends on what diameter you run but I wouldn't go under 35.

Here's a good example of a client's car who did 19s and 20s with 255/35s and 295/35s

Jason,
I was searching through posts and found your comment. I love the stance on your customers car. Great job!
I think I’m going to go with the same setup. 255/35/19 in the front and 295/35/20 in the rear. Is that correct. Also you made a comment on backspace. What was the backspace in the front and rear if you don’t mind me asking?
Also my current set up is AFX 1” drop spindles in the front with stock front Springs. 1” drop Springs in the rear.
For the 19 20 Combo I will add a heavy 550lb 1” drop spring in the front and 2” drop spring in the rear. Do you think that will work. If you can comment I appreciate the help!

Photo is with some tall M/T 295/35/17 rear tires with the stated suspension.
Looking for a more protouring tucked less muscle car look.

[1badchicken]

I forgot to mention. The wheel lips have not been rolled. Stock original quarters.

[gnx7]

I just ordered wheels for my '69 Chevelle last week and my fabricator used a wheel offset tool to precisely see what we needed based off of the tires I'm going to run.
275/35/18 NT01 front with 305/35/18 NT01 rear

Came up with 18x10 6" BS front and 18x11 7" BS rear (will adjust with spacers if needed to optimize) based off the wheel tool. I have a Ford 9" out back that I believe is stock width.

[JayR]

Measuring your current wheels is the best way to determine what will fit your car since they're approaching 50 years old and may have had unknown mods done over the years but 5.0 in front and 5.75 is a solid baseline for most of them. As we learn more and more about the true nature of pro-touring, adding tire up front is even more beneficial that rear contact patches and given the size of some of these cars, you can go with a 9 up front and split the offset in any 1/8" increment if you plan to drive at 9/10 or do autocrosses, track days, etc. Drop us a line anytime

[USAZR1]

At the present time, I'm running 18x9's w/5" backspacing (0 offset) and 255/35/18 Nitto 555 G2's on the front of my 70 Elco. On the rear, I'm running 20x10's w/5.75" backspacing (+6 offset) and 305/30/20's. No mods on either end,necessary. Buying new wheels this Summer and will be going with 18x9's w/5.5" backspace (+12 offset) and either 275/35/18's or 285/30/18's, on the front. On the rear, going with either an 18x11 w/6.25" backspace (+6 offset) and 315/30/18 BFG Rivals or 19x11's w/6.25" backspace (+6 offset) and 325/30/19 Michelin Pilots.

[Billet-Specialties]

You can download our wheel measurement guide to get you exact sizing and back space. Visit http://bit.ly/2wOFXJx to download it today.

[Steven's 72]

Im Running 18's in the back with 295-45-18's and 17's in the front 245-45-17. I have the Global west Extended travel control arms in the front with Viking Coil-overs and I have a2 inch Drop Rear Hotchkis Spring in the rear

[Greg mink]

I have a 69 chevelle with 2 inch drop spindles on the front and 1 inch lowering springs on all 4 corners...can I run 18x8.5 on the front and 200 on the back and not rub? What size tires?

- - - Updated - - -

20 x 10

[USAZR1]

I have a 69 chevelle with 2 inch drop spindles on the front and 1 inch lowering springs on all 4 corners...can I run 18x8.5 on the front and 20x10 on the back and not rub? What size tires?

- - - Updated - - -

Sure. With those 18x8.5's, I would recommend a 5" backspace (+6 offset) and a 245-265 tire. On the rear, 20x10's w/5.75" backspace (+6 offset) and a 275-295 tire will fit 68-72's. I'm running a 305/30/20 on my 20x10's, on my 70 Elco. One note of caution, stay away from negative offset wheels as they will cause clearance issues, on these cars.
As always, drop me a line if I can help,further.

p.s. what front brakes are on your 69?